Belle Terre curve site of 34 crashes since 2008

Published: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 4:09 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 6, 2013 at 8:47 p.m.

PALM COAST — George Mayo heard a screech and a bang.

Facts

Dangerous curve

There have been 34 reported accidents along or near the sharp curve on Belle Terre Boulevard in Palm Coast since January 2008. Fifteen resulted in injuries and three in deaths. 2008: 22009: 102010: 62011: 32012: 92013: 4Additionally, there are two memorials related to fatal motorcycle accidents along that curve -- in February 2007 and October 2000.SOURCES: FHP and Flagler County Sheriff's Office

Then he heard a car alarm. It kept blaring and blaring.

He ran two blocks from his backyard to Belle Terre Boulevard and saw a vehicle wrapped around a tree.

The person behind the wheel was not seriously injured. He even ran away from the scene, said Mayo.

The March 12 crash was listed by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office as a hit and run. A suspect was arrested minutes after the accident.

The 61-year-old Mayo moved to a house off Zeidler Place in late 2012. He's retired and enjoys the occasional motorcycle joyride. The Belle Terre curve makes him nervous each time he rides it.

Statistics back up his fear. Based on law enforcement data, there have been 34 accidents along or near the curve since January 2008. Three people have died in crashes, and more than half of the accidents, 18, have resulted in injury or death.

In the five months Mayo has lived off Zeidler, there have been four accidents along the curve at Belle Terre, according to crash statistics. Mayo knew about three of those accidents. He either heard them from his house or rode past them.

The most recent accident, on Tuesday afternoon, claimed the life of 27-year-old Palm Coast motorcyclist Robert Trainham. Troopers said Trainham, who was traveling north, failed to negotiate the curve and moved into the opposite lane, where he collided with a pickup headed south.

Witnesses, including the driver of the pickup, estimated Trainham was going about 50 mph. The speed limit drops from 50 mph to 35 mph about 500 feet before the curve.

Mayo drove by Tuesday's accident scene just as the first deputy cruiser showed up to set up a perimeter, he said. Mayo saw the damaged bike and pickup and knew right away it was bad.

Mayo's neighbor, Steve Wozniak, said the city should annex some of the airport property along the east side of Belle Terre and use it to straighten the road. Otherwise, some flashing lights would be helpful.

"There have been a number of times where cars were in the woods or they've smacked into trees," said Wozniak. "There's a tendency on people's part, especially if you don't live here or know the road, to drive fast here. The car will drift or swerve if you don't stay at 35 (mph)."

The speed limit for most of the section of Belle Terre — between State Road 100 and U.S. 1 — is 50 mph. There is a yellow sign along the southbound lane alerting motorists of the bend in the road and the reduced speed limit. A similar sign is posted along the northbound lane.

The turn is about a half-mile south of State Road 100 between both entrances to Zebulah's Trail, a horseshoe-shaped road that intersects twice with Belle Terre.

Mayo contacted the city of Palm Coast last week after Tuesday's accident. A city engineer spoke to him over the phone and is scheduled to visit with him next week to talk about "short-term and long-term solutions," said Mayo.

He was encouraged by the city's response.

"Wrecks are a common occurrence over here and it's going to keep happening until something is done," Mayo said.

The Florida Highway Patrol and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office released hundreds of pages of accident data dating back to Jan. 1, 2008. That section of Belle Terre is among the most frequently listed.

Some of the accidents, at least three, were attributed to alcohol-impaired drivers. Some were listed as rear-end or head-on collisions while others involved vehicles that simply wiped out and rolled down the grassy bank, according to FHP statistics.

There are two roadside memorials to the west of Belle Terre Boulevard. One is dedicated to a man named "Doug," who lost control of his motorcycle along the curve in early 2007. Another memorial is dedicated to Thomas Wetzler, a Palm Coast motorcyclist who died following an accident there in October 2000, according to obituary records.

Cindi Brownfield, a city spokeswoman, said a traffic engineer visited the area last week after receiving a call from a concerned resident.

"The engineer found the pavement is in excellent condition with no cracks or bumps," she said. "The speed limit is adequately low for the curve."

She also said the two speed limit signs — both posted 500 feet before the curve in either direction — are in plain view and appropriately placed.

"The road is well-striped and has reflectors," Brownfield continued. "It has a slight embankment or grading. So from the engineering viewpoint, it follows good road engineering practices."

City workers put up flashing speed limit signs a day or two after the most recent crash. Brownfield said the portable signs would remain there for a few days.

"They are primarily meant to raise public awareness," she said, "to help drivers pay attention to how fast they're traveling there."

The bank on either side of the road along the curve drops about four feet. Tire marks from the pickup involved in last week's accident are still visible along the bank to the west. Some trees and bushes in that vicinity appear to have been knocked down or damaged.

Belle Terre has several streetlights between S.R. 100 and U.S. 1. Mayo said the local utility company has had to replace one of the poles along the curve at least three times since he moved to the neighborhood. One of the accidents last month cut a pole in half, he said.

A message left with Florida Power and Light Co. was not returned.

One of the major fears Mayo has is the sidewalk that runs along the west side of the road. People — including children — frequently run, walk and bicycle regularly along that stretch.

"One of these days, they're going to take somebody out," he said.

Dangerous curve

There have been 34 reported accidents along or near the sharp curve on Belle Terre Boulevard in Palm Coast since January 2008. Fifteen resulted in injuries and three in deaths.

2008: 2

2009: 10

2010: 6

2011: 3

2012: 9

2013: 4

Additionally, there are two memorials related to fatal motorcycle accidents along that curve -- in February 2007 and October 2000.

<p>PALM COAST &mdash; George Mayo heard a screech and a bang. </p><p>Then he heard a car alarm. It kept blaring and blaring. </p><p>He ran two blocks from his backyard to Belle Terre Boulevard and saw a vehicle wrapped around a tree. </p><p>The person behind the wheel was not seriously injured. He even ran away from the scene, said Mayo. </p><p>The March 12 crash was listed by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office as a hit and run. A suspect was arrested minutes after the accident. </p><p>The 61-year-old Mayo moved to a house off Zeidler Place in late 2012. He's retired and enjoys the occasional motorcycle joyride. The Belle Terre curve makes him nervous each time he rides it. </p><p>Statistics back up his fear. Based on law enforcement data, there have been 34 accidents along or near the curve since January 2008. Three people have died in crashes, and more than half of the accidents, 18, have resulted in injury or death. </p><p>In the five months Mayo has lived off Zeidler, there have been four accidents along the curve at Belle Terre, according to crash statistics. Mayo knew about three of those accidents. He either heard them from his house or rode past them. </p><p>The most recent accident, on Tuesday afternoon, claimed the life of 27-year-old Palm Coast motorcyclist Robert Trainham. Troopers said Trainham, who was traveling north, failed to negotiate the curve and moved into the opposite lane, where he collided with a pickup headed south. </p><p>Witnesses, including the driver of the pickup, estimated Trainham was going about 50 mph. The speed limit drops from 50 mph to 35 mph about 500 feet before the curve. </p><p>Mayo drove by Tuesday's accident scene just as the first deputy cruiser showed up to set up a perimeter, he said. Mayo saw the damaged bike and pickup and knew right away it was bad. </p><p>Mayo's neighbor, Steve Wozniak, said the city should annex some of the airport property along the east side of Belle Terre and use it to straighten the road. Otherwise, some flashing lights would be helpful. </p><p>"There have been a number of times where cars were in the woods or they've smacked into trees," said Wozniak. "There's a tendency on people's part, especially if you don't live here or know the road, to drive fast here. The car will drift or swerve if you don't stay at 35 (mph)." </p><p>The speed limit for most of the section of Belle Terre &mdash; between State Road 100 and U.S. 1 &mdash; is 50 mph. There is a yellow sign along the southbound lane alerting motorists of the bend in the road and the reduced speed limit. A similar sign is posted along the northbound lane. </p><p>The turn is about a half-mile south of State Road 100 between both entrances to Zebulah's Trail, a horseshoe-shaped road that intersects twice with Belle Terre. </p><p>Mayo contacted the city of Palm Coast last week after Tuesday's accident. A city engineer spoke to him over the phone and is scheduled to visit with him next week to talk about "short-term and long-term solutions," said Mayo. </p><p>He was encouraged by the city's response. </p><p>"Wrecks are a common occurrence over here and it's going to keep happening until something is done," Mayo said. </p><p>The Florida Highway Patrol and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office released hundreds of pages of accident data dating back to Jan. 1, 2008. That section of Belle Terre is among the most frequently listed. </p><p>Some of the accidents, at least three, were attributed to alcohol-impaired drivers. Some were listed as rear-end or head-on collisions while others involved vehicles that simply wiped out and rolled down the grassy bank, according to FHP statistics. </p><p>There are two roadside memorials to the west of Belle Terre Boulevard. One is dedicated to a man named "Doug," who lost control of his motorcycle along the curve in early 2007. Another memorial is dedicated to Thomas Wetzler, a Palm Coast motorcyclist who died following an accident there in October 2000, according to obituary records. </p><p>Cindi Brownfield, a city spokeswoman, said a traffic engineer visited the area last week after receiving a call from a concerned resident. </p><p>"The engineer found the pavement is in excellent condition with no cracks or bumps," she said. "The speed limit is adequately low for the curve." </p><p>She also said the two speed limit signs &mdash; both posted 500 feet before the curve in either direction &mdash; are in plain view and appropriately placed. </p><p>"The road is well-striped and has reflectors," Brownfield continued. "It has a slight embankment or grading. So from the engineering viewpoint, it follows good road engineering practices." </p><p>City workers put up flashing speed limit signs a day or two after the most recent crash. Brownfield said the portable signs would remain there for a few days. </p><p>"They are primarily meant to raise public awareness," she said, "to help drivers pay attention to how fast they're traveling there." </p><p>The bank on either side of the road along the curve drops about four feet. Tire marks from the pickup involved in last week's accident are still visible along the bank to the west. Some trees and bushes in that vicinity appear to have been knocked down or damaged. </p><p>Belle Terre has several streetlights between S.R. 100 and U.S. 1. Mayo said the local utility company has had to replace one of the poles along the curve at least three times since he moved to the neighborhood. One of the accidents last month cut a pole in half, he said. </p><p>A message left with Florida Power and Light Co. was not returned. </p><p>One of the major fears Mayo has is the sidewalk that runs along the west side of the road. People &mdash; including children &mdash; frequently run, walk and bicycle regularly along that stretch. </p><p>"One of these days, they're going to take somebody out," he said.</p><p><b>Dangerous curve</b></p><p>There have been 34 reported accidents along or near the sharp curve on Belle Terre Boulevard in Palm Coast since January 2008. Fifteen resulted in injuries and three in deaths. </p><p>2008: 2</p><p>2009: 10</p><p>2010: 6</p><p>2011: 3</p><p>2012: 9</p><p>2013: 4</p><p>Additionally, there are two memorials related to fatal motorcycle accidents along that curve -- in February 2007 and October 2000.</p><p>SOURCES: FHP and Flagler County Sheriff's Office</p>